James Harrison, Troy Polamalu will be evaluated daily

The Steelers were able to beat the Jets 27-10 despite the absence of two defensive starters and it’s not yet clear whether they will have them back for their next game.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that the team will evaluate the status of linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu at practice every day this week after both of them were unable to practice or play last week. It’s basically a continuation of the way they handled the injuries leading up the Jets game.

The defense held up just fine without Harrison and Polamalu last week, shutting down the Jets offense after giving up 10 points on New York’s first two drives. With the Raiders up next and then a bye, it wouldn’t be too surprising if the team held the two vets out another week in hopes of bringing the two veterans back at 100 percent following the bye. Given the chronic nature of Harrison’s knee injury and the potential for Polamalu’s calf injury to become one, that might prove to be the safest course of action.

Tomlin also said that the team anticipates tight end Heath Miller, running back Jonathan Dwyer and tackle Marcus Gilbert being limited when the team resumes practicing on Wednesday.

I doubt they will play this week. Might as well let them rest through the bye week. Defense played well enough against the Jets. Oakland unlikely to provide stiffer test anyway. Steelers will be 2-1, and in first place alone in AFC North after this week.

you all will be singing a different tune monday morning as the worst franshise in the past decade embarresses your elite franshise. What happened last time ben went to the black hole? the steelers were a better team then and got beat 20-13 bens pick 6 was pretty sweat in that game too.

But seriously, it pains me to say it, but I think James Harrison might be done. Back surgery last year, and an unresponsive knee… all those crushing hits have taken a toll. I think he will be given a few more weeks to try to recover, but I’m unsure if he’ll ever be dominant, or even healthy enough to compete.

Troy, on the other hand… I agree with everyone else, give him 2 weeks, and bring him back slowly, for the rest of the (tougher) schedule.

you all will be singing a different tune monday morning as the worst franshise in the past decade embarresses your elite franshise. What happened last time ben went to the black hole? the steelers were a better team then and got beat 20-13 bens pick 6 was pretty sweat in that game too.

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Last time the Steelers played the Raiders, they absolutely destroyed them 35-3 – and Ben has 6 TD passes on them in the last two games.

I’ll sing a different tune when you learn how to spell — and what the heck does “pretty sweat” mean?

Ya i promise i will not go missing. I havnt even heard of you before, bro. The steelers are done. Raiders are out for blood. Allen got them all fired up and focused monday morning and ready to reck havick on big baby ben. Mcfadden is going going to put up some serious yards. raiders will win. pittsburgh is trash bro

Oh yeah – agree, keep the guys out a few more weeks and take advantage of the bye week. Sure we want to win more games – buuut after all, it’s just the Raiders (along with their secret weapon which is their fans dressed in over the top costumes.) I mean how can they expect their team to want a win with all that silliness going on in the stands? I’m with the group, let the lads rest up! It would be madness to put James and Troy in play early and chance further injuries.